Waterproof backpack suggestions please

[davebullet]

Does anyone have any suggestions / recommendations for a good waterproof backpack? Some side / front pockets would be good too.

Thanks,
David.

[Fatjim]

Doesn't really have to be that waterproof in my experience. My back keeps it fairly dry as long as you keep the speed up.

[glice]

Does anyone have any suggestions / recommendations for a good waterproof backpack? Some side / front pockets would be good too.

Thanks,
David.

use a pack liner or a rubbish bag works just fine. but even without a waterproof bag, its not that bad on a bike.

[Winston001]

Experienced trampers would say there is no such thing as a waterproof pack. The better plan is as Glice says, is use a pack liner - available from adventure shops andthey are heavy duty. Also use plastic shopping bags to hold your contents - different colours for different stuff. I use clear zip-lock bags so I can see the contents. Simple and keeps stuff organised.

Lots of bikers also cover the pack with a plastic rubbish bag if its mounted on the bike - very sensible and simple.

As for a pack, if you aren't doing serious walking, just get a Warehouse one - perfectly fine.

[davebullet]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

I've been doing the plastic bag thing, and just wondered if there was a better way. Depending on the wellington weather - the wind might be behind you or in front. If behind, then your pack gets a lot wetter I've found. I also commute on slower roads, meaning more time for it to get wet and stop / start traffic.

Like jackets, I might just get two packs. I can have one drying every other day so I'm not constantly loading gear into a wet bag.

David.

[Nasty]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

I've been doing the plastic bag thing, and just wondered if there was a better way. Depending on the wellington weather - the wind might be behind you or in front. If behind, then your pack gets a lot wetter I've found. I also commute on slower roads, meaning more time for it to get wet and stop / start traffic.

Like jackets, I might just get two packs. I can have one drying every other day so I'm not constantly loading gear into a wet bag.

David.

I know that a few of us of back pack covers from katmandu .. they go over the pack and although not perfect, add yet another layer of protection for your gear.

[nallac]

i've got one of these http://www.trademe.co.nz/Sports/Hunt...-179514899.htm
seems to be pretty waterproof so far.
a bit overpriced for the size/quality IMHO.

[Winston001]

Mmmm $75 sounds cheap if it does the job and you use it every day.

I just paid $75 for a left-side instrument panel cover (secondhand) for my Duke. It does nothing except cover the fuses and in theory I could have heated and bent a piece of plastic bucket to do the same job. Very classy!

A pack cover as Nasty suggests would be a good and simple addition.

The best advice I can offer is to buy an RT BMW - any model. The fairing design is so effective that you won't get wet in any rain even at low speed.

[Pwalo]

I've been using a Marmot Globe Trotter for the last three years for commuting, and it hasn't leaked a drop.

I go from the top of the Gorge to Pet One, so should work for you (if you can find one of course).

Was reasonably pricey, but I picked it up as an end of line jobbie.

[nallac]

[QUOTE=Winston001;1757749]Mmmm $75 sounds cheap if it does the job and you use it every day.QUOTE]

i've been using it everyday.
Has yet to let water in, was quite suprised after getting
caught in heavy rain with it.
the only down side to it is that the zips aren't covered so its gotta let water in eventually.

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

pack in the vacumm plastic bags... (the ones you roll up) takes air out saving room and is waterproof... $5 from the warehouse...

[vifferman]

The Ventura backpacks have a waterproof "storm cover" available. However, having previously had one of these for a Bathurst backpack I owned (and sold), I'd say that the suggestions proffered here are better. Any cover you use is going to be good from the point of view of keeping the wet out in the first place, but they tend to flap around unless you put straps on them, as they're usually fairly lightweight materials (the Ventura one was plasticised nylon). I do what everyone else has suggested, and just use bags for anything that needs to be kept dry.
The Ventura backpacks are showerproof, but as they age, the resistance to rain decreases, so they need treating with some heavy-duty silicon spray (use the Scotchgard green stuff for tents etc.) In any case, even though the materials used are waterproof to start with, the seams leak, and the older they get, the more they leak. Oh - and Murphy's Law applies: even though the water seems to get in OK, it's not so good at getting out. You can end up with a cupful or two of water sloshing around in the bottom of the bag...

I've got an expandable Motoline tankbag that's also only showerproof, but it comes with an elasticised cover (complete with clear top) that's very good, and which fits neatly in one pocket. However, it (like the Ventura storm cover) is designed for the largest possible configuration you might use, so as I invariably use the tankbag in unexpanded mode, I have to fold up the excess cover under itself, or it flaps around in the breeze. Also, it doesn't cover up the flaps, so I get rusty bits underneath the bag flaps from the flaps getting wet. I think it's not the magnets themselves but any ferrous dust they've sucked up that's rusting.

[vamr]

Was out shopping last night and came across one of these (http://www.talk2myshirt.com/blog/archives/235). Seems the business with full padding, waterproofing... and the price tag to match

[HungusMaximist]

I've got myself one of those large push bike courier styled packs.

It's pretty much 100 % waterproof (unless you submerge it under water), however to retain that waterproof seal, the pack hasn't got any fancy pockets or features.

Here's an example.

[davebullet]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

Since my last backpack (which cost the princely sum of $30) finally wore out after 5 years daily use, I bought another (same brand from Strandbags) for $30 plus a rainproof cover for backpacks as Nasty suggested for $20 from Pack and Pedal (nice bright orange with a reflective logo on the back). Its a stretchy cover that you draw tight.

Used it for the first time yesterday, not much rain but it didn't flap and stayed on tight. So for $50 I should be good for a while.

The scotchguard thing is a good idea. Might by a bottle to do the bag anyway for if / when I get caught out.

Thanks,
David.